Move Over Lucas – Meet the Polkadot Jumping Spider

My Great Uncle, Peter, kindly gifted me a new flash unit as a Christmas present. Despite being desperate to use it, we have been so busy with fieldwork and house renovations that now, several months later, I have only just managed to have my first real play.

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Meeting the Polkadot Jumping Spider

During some downtime on a recent field trip, I noticed a sizable jumping spider making its way across the ceiling of our bedroom. After a quick look, I knew that it was a polkadot jumper (Opisthoncus polyphemus) as Emma and I have seen one before. I took this adorable spider outside for a photoshoot. (Points go to the first person to correctly guess what species of plant we used as a stage!)

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A Few Facts

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The Polkadot Jumping Spider is also goes by the names ‘Polkadot Jumper’ or ‘Cyclops Jumping Spider’

It is found in New Guinea, Queensland and New South Wales

It was first reported in New Zealand in 2000

The dark markings around their eyes seem to make their eyes look even bigger

In Greek the name Kuklops means “round eye” referring to the large single eye of Cyclops, the one-eyed titan, also known as Polyphemus (our spider’s species name)

They roam foilage (or ceilings, too, apparently) in the day searching for arthropods

Females roll leaves over on themselves with silk to make retreats to help conceal her eggs

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Meeting Lucas the Jumping Spider

Some time toward the end of 2017, an animation of a jumping spider took the internet by storm. The spider is called Lucas, and the creator of this animation is Joshua Slice. Slice asked his nephew (also called Lucas) to voice the spider. There are several shorts out on YouTube which we have linked to below. Some have said that this animation may just cure a person of arachnophobia!

Lucas is most definitely based on a jumping spider with their furry bodies, large eyes and relatively short legs (compared to some other spiders). If you check out some of the videos, or have already met Lucas then you’ll see that some of his features may have been exaggerated, presumabley increasing his cute-factor to maximum. Check out our polkadot jumper (left) compared with Lucas (right). Pretty cute, huh?

Our Polkadot Jumping Spider

Lucas the Spider, by Joshua Slice

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A Positive Spin

It’s great seeing some positive media out on the internet about our many-legged friends. If you know of any other cool critters with websites or YouTube channels, definitely share them with all of us!

Oh, wow! That would have been so cool to see, Crystal! I’m sure another opportunity will come around soon. (That’s what we tell ourselves anyways, haha. 🙂 ) When it does, we’ll look forward to seeing the photos on your blog! 😀